Information Handling System Wheel Input Device

ABSTRACT

A controller couples to a rear surface of a portable information handling system at a gimbal motor that supports rotation of the controller relative to the portable information handling system. A gyroscopic sensor detects rotation of the controller for application to the gimbal motor so that the information handling system maintains a viewing position relative to an end user who rotates the controller. The controller selectively couples and de-couples from the information handling system to provide inputs to the information handling system both as an integrated input device and as a separate input device through a wireless interface.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/864,662, filed May 1, 2020, entitled “Information Handling SystemWheel Input Device,” naming Michiel Sebastiaan Emanuel Petrus Knoppertas inventor, which application is incorporated herein by reference inits entirety.

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/864,681, filed May 1, 2020, entitled“Information Handling System Gaming Controls” by inventor MichielSebastiaan Emanuel Petrus Knoppert, describes exemplary methods andsystems and is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/864,654, filed May 1, 2020, entitled“Information Handling System Hands Free Voice and Text Chat” by inventorMichiel Sebastiaan Emanuel Petrus Knoppert, describes exemplary methodsand systems and is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates in general to the field of informationhandling systems input devices, and more particularly to an informationhandling system wheel input device.

Description of the Related Art

As the value and use of information continues to increase, individualsand businesses seek additional ways to process and store information.One option available to users is information handling systems. Aninformation handling system generally processes, compiles, stores,and/or communicates information or data for business, personal, or otherpurposes thereby allowing users to take advantage of the value of theinformation. Because technology and information handling needs andrequirements vary between different users or applications, informationhandling systems may also vary regarding what information is handled,how the information is handled, how much information is processed,stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the informationmay be processed, stored, or communicated. The variations in informationhandling systems allow for information handling systems to be general orconfigured for a specific user or specific use such as financialtransaction processing, airline reservations, enterprise data storage,or global communications. In addition, information handling systems mayinclude a variety of hardware and software components that may beconfigured to process, store, and communicate information and mayinclude one or more computer systems, data storage systems, andnetworking systems.

Portable information handling systems integrate processing components, adisplay and a power source in a portable housing to support mobileoperations. End users often find portable information handling systemsto be convenient tools for consuming information when on the go. Inparticular, tablet configurations of portable information handlingsystems provide a convenient and very portable tool for readingdocuments, web browsing and simple text interactions, such as e-mailcommunications. A typical tablet information handling system is builtinto a planar housing covered on one side by a touchscreen display. Thetouchscreen display offers a convenient input device that can accepttyped inputs through a virtual keyboard presented at the display.Although convenient to use while traveling, the touchscreen display isgenerally not as convenient for supporting heavier end userinteractions, such as typing into a word processing document. Inaddition, tablet information handling systems tend to have a smallerdisplay area for presenting visual images that can make more intenseprocessing tasks difficult to accomplish. Generally, if an end userneeds to perform tasks that call for greater amounts of inputs, the enduser will rely on convertible information handling systems thatintegrate other input devices, such as a keyboard and touchpad. Althoughthis improves an end user's ability to input information, suchintegrated input devices tend to increase system size and can make thesystem somewhat awkward to use when mobile.

One specialized type of portable information handling system is a gamingsystem that executes a gaming application, such as war games, flyinggames, driving games, etc. . . . . Generally such gaming systems arebuilt into a tablet configuration that includes a touchscreen display toaccept touch inputs and sensors that detect the gaming systems movementand orientation, such as accelerometers and gyroscopes, which determinerotation and orientation from plural accelerometers disposed at pluralaxes. In a typical gaming application, the end user holds the tabletinformation handling system with both hands so the integrated display isreadily visible and performs inputs to the game by changing the system'sorientation. For instance, the tablet information handling systembecomes a steering wheel that the end user rotates to steer a vehiclewith a road or track presented on the integrated display. Some gamingsystems also integrate physical push buttons near the end user's grasppoints that the end user may interact with to perform gaming functions,such as firing weapons or changing speed. Although this improves gaminginteractions, the end user typically must interact with the touchscreendisplay to perform more complex functions, such as configuration ofgaming options. In addition, interactions through the integratedtouchscreen display tend to become more difficult while playing the gamesince the game activity typically must pause. Even performing gameinputs can become confusing where movement of the information handlingsystem provides inputs. For instance, turning the tablet informationhandling system as a wheel disrupts the end user's view of the drivingsurface, which rotates with the information handling system.

Often gaming applications include a wide variety of operations that canbe performed through the integrated display. For instance, many gamesare played with other end users by communicating gaming informationthrough a network. In some games, end users form teams that play againstother teams in a virtual world. Typically in such gaming scenarios endusers will communicate with each other using voice and/or text chat.When using only a tablet information handling system these functionsoften prove difficult to use. To obtain full access to these functions,the end user will project the game content to a peripheral display sothat all of the information can be presented. Similarly, end users willuse peripheral input devices if available, such as a controller withmultiple input devices. These options can provide a more robust gamingexperience by leveraging the larger display area offered by a peripheraldisplay and projecting the gaming content with wireless communication,such as Bluetooth or WiFi. Although these gaming options improve thegaming experience when peripheral devices are available, the end useroften faces confusion as he adapts to different hardware and inputdevices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, a need has arisen for a system and method which maintains aportable information handling system display in desired viewingorientation during rotation of the portable information handling systemto perform inputs.

A further need exists for a system and method that enhances end uservoice and text chat when gaming through a portable information handlingsystem.

A further need exists for a system and method that enhances end userinput device interactions when gaming with a portable informationhandling system.

In accordance with the present invention, a system and method areprovided which substantially reduce the disadvantages and problemsassociated with previous methods and systems. A portable informationhandling system removeably couples to a controller that enhances enduser input options. In one embodiment, the portable information handlingsystem and controller couple at a gimbal motor in a wheel inputconfiguration that allows an end user to rotate the controller for wheelinputs while maintaining the portable information handling system in adesired viewing orientation by counter rotation of the gimbal motor.Controller input devices and portable information handling systemsettings are managed with posture and gesture controls sensed byaccelerometers of the portable information handling system. Thecontroller de-couples from the portable information handling system toprovide inputs as a peripheral device. The portable information handlingsystem when de-coupled is supported in a view position by the gimbalmotor and presents gaming communication information, such as chatmanaged by gaze and voice inputs, while gaming content is presented at aperipheral display.

More specifically, a portable information handling system processesinformation with a central processing unit that executes instructions incooperation with a memory that stores the instructions and information.For instance, a gaming application presents gaming content at atouchscreen display integrated in the portable information handlingsystem in response to inputs sensed by the portable information handlingsystem. A controller selectively couples and de-couples to the portableinformation handling system at a gimbal motor. An end user performswheel inputs at the controller that are applied to the gaming contentbased upon rotation sensed at the controller and communicated to theportable information handling system. The gimbal motor counter rotatesrelative to the wheel inputs to hold the integrated display in apredetermined orientation, such as in a horizontal viewing orientation.The controller de-couples from the portable information handling systemto act as a peripheral controller that communicates inputs to theportable information handling system, such as through a wirelessinterface. With the controller de-coupled, the gimbal motor selectivelyslides out of the rear surface of the portable information handlingsystem to act as a viewing stand. In one embodiment, the portableinformation handling system presents gaming content at a peripheraldisplay while disposed on the viewing stand to present a communicationstreaming user interface that allows an end user to perform chat andother functions at the portable information handling system withoutinterruption of gaming content at the peripheral display. End user gazeinputs drive selection of chat options, such as text or voice chat, sothat the end user can continue with the gaming applicationuninterrupted.

The present invention provides a number of important technicaladvantages. One example of an important technical advantage is thatgaming content presented on a portable information handling systemintegrated display is maintained in a desired viewing orientation duringrotational inputs made at a controller coupled to the portableinformation handling system. As an end user holds the controller androtates the controller to make wheel inputs, the gimbal motor counterrotates based upon the sensed rotational inputs to hold the integrateddisplay in a constant orientation relative to the end user, such as ahorizontal viewing orientation. The end user is able to perform steeringinputs while the gaming content view remains in a constant orientationto provide a less confusing presentation. Posture and gestures appliedby the end user are sensed so that the end user can quickly manage gamesettings, such as selection of game functions and adjustments to inputdevices, such as programing virtual tools to associate with desired pushbuttons of the controller. An end user can quickly orient to gamingconditions by changing portable information handling system posture froma vertical viewing orientation to a horizontal orientation thatinitiates a map view. When a peripheral display is available, the enduser can de-couple the portable information handling system from thecontroller to rest near the peripheral display so that gaming content ispresented on the peripheral display while the integrated displaysupports communication or related functions. End user gaminginteractions at the peripheral display can continue uninterrupted whilethe end user performs voice and text chat functions with gaze controlsto manage individual and team communications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention may be better understood, and its numerousobjects, features and advantages made apparent to those skilled in theart by referencing the accompanying drawings. The use of the samereference number throughout the several figures designates a like orsimilar element.

FIG. 1 depicts a portable gaming information handling system assembly inuse by an end user and supplemented by a peripheral display;

FIG. 2 depicts the portable gaming information handling system assemblyin use with the portable information handling system de-coupled from thecontroller;

FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C depict examples of selective coupling andde-coupling of the portable information handling system and controller;

FIG. 4 depicts an example embodiment of the portable informationhandling system resting with a stand in front of a peripheral display toprovide a streaming communication monitor;

FIG. 5 depicts a side perspective view of portable gaming informationhandling system assembly 10 having portable information handling system14 coupled to controller 16 in a wheel input configuration;

FIG. 6 depicts a side cutaway view of a gimbal motor extended from theportable information handling system to engage the controller;

FIG. 7 depicts a cutaway view of a portable information handling systemmounted on a controller providing gimbal motor counter rotation;

FIGS. 8A and 8B depict a flow diagram of logic to support a hands freevoice and text chat through a streaming communication interface at aportable information handling system during presentation of gamingcontent at a peripheral display;

FIG. 9 depicts an example embodiment of a hands free voice and text teamchat;

FIG. 10 depicts an example embodiment of a hands free voice and textchat for private chat and whisper; and

FIG. 11 depicts an example embodiment of a hands free voice and textchat for editing chat conversations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A portable information handing system selectively couples to acontroller at a gimbal motor so that the portable information handlingsystem maintains a viewing orientation with the gimbal while an end userrotates the controller. For purposes of this disclosure, an informationhandling system may include any instrumentality or aggregate ofinstrumentalities operable to compute, classify, process, transmit,receive, retrieve, originate, switch, store, display, manifest, detect,record, reproduce, handle, or utilize any form of information,intelligence, or data for business, scientific, control, or otherpurposes. For example, an information handling system may be a personalcomputer, a network storage device, or any other suitable device and mayvary in size, shape, performance, functionality, and price. Theinformation handling system may include random access memory (RAM), oneor more processing resources such as a central processing unit (CPU) orhardware or software control logic, ROM, and/or other types ofnonvolatile memory. Additional components of the information handlingsystem may include one or more disk drives, one or more network portsfor communicating with external devices as well as various input andoutput (I/O) devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a video display.The information handling system may also include one or more busesoperable to transmit communications between the various hardwarecomponents.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a portable gaming information handling systemassembly 10 is depicted in use by an end user and supplemented by aperipheral display 12. In the example embodiment, an end user graspsportable gaming information handling system assembly 10 at a controller16 that supports a portable information handling system 14 in a viewingposition. The end user makes inputs to portable gaming informationhandling system assembly 10 through a variety of input devices,including an integrated touchscreen display 18 integrated in an uppersurface of portable information handling system 14, touch input buttondevices on the upper face of controller 16 and gestures implementedthrough acceleration and/or gyroscopic sensing. Portable informationhandling system 14 executes an operating system and gaming applicationsthat generate gaming content for the end user to interact with. Thegaming content may be presented only at integrated touchscreen display18, only at peripheral display 12 or simultaneously at both integratedtouchscreen display 18 and peripheral display 12. As described ingreater detail below, in one example embodiment, communication streamcontent may be presented as part of the gaming content and managed withportable information handling system 14. Various input devices andcontent presentations may be used based upon the selectively-availablephysical configurations of portable gaming information handling system10 as described below.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the portable gaming information handling systemassembly 10 is depicted in use with portable information handling system14 de-coupled from controller 16. In the example embodiment, controller16 decouples from the bottom surface of information handling system 14so that an end user can hold controller 16 separately to make inputs toportable information handling system 14, such as through Bluetooth, WiFior other wireless signals. Controller 16 has input devices 20 disposedat an upper surface, such as push input buttons, which accept end userinputs for communication to portable information handling system 14 forpresentation at display 18. Various gaming applications may execute touse the portable information handling system 14 processing resources andexternal processing resources, such as a desktop information handlingsystem, to generate gaming content for presentation to the end user. Forinstance, a gaming application executing on a separate desktopinformation handling system may coordinate presentation of content withportable information handling system 14 to distribute content at display12 and integrated touchscreen display 18. In one example embodiment,controller 16 may communicate inputs only to portable informationhandling system 14 or may interface with other information handlingsystems while, for instance, portable information handling system 14supports communication functions with eye gaze inputs as described ingreater detail below. In the example embodiment of FIG. 2, portableinformation handling system 14 is held in a viewing orientation on thedesktop support surface with an integrated stand as further describedherein.

Referring now to FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C, examples of selective coupling andde-coupling of portable information handling system 14 and controller 12are depicted. FIG. 3A depicts portable gaming information handlingsystem assembly 10 with a rear face of portable information handlingsystem 10 coupled by a coupler 21 to a rear face of controller 16.Information handling system 14 has a curved rear surface of its housing17 that conforms to a curved shape of controller 16 housing 19 so thatcoupler 21 holds the assembly of housings 17 and 19 in close tightproximity. In the example configuration, an end user viewing the displayat the front face of information handling system 14 can access inputdevices 20 at the front face of controller 16 by reaching behind theassembly to make inputs. Alternatively, an end user may hold controller16 face up to perform inputs at input devices 20 for use at a separateperipheral display, either supported by portable information handlingsystem 14 or a separate information handling system. FIG. 3B depictsinformation handling system 14 separated from controller 16 by releaseof coupler 21. Once separated, both information handling system 14 andcontroller 16 operate as independent devices. In order to achieve thesteering wheel configuration depicted in FIG. 1, the front face ofcontroller housing 19 is flipped to face the rear face of informationhandling system housing 17 and coupler 21 couples the housings to eachother so that opposing arcs of the curved housing shape provide room torotate controller 16 relative to information handling system 14. In oneexample embodiment, a gimbal motor 22 extends out from informationhandling system 14 to provide additional space not only for rotationabout the gimbal motor but also to provide room for end user interactionwith input devices 20. FIG. 3C depicts gimbal motor 22 extending out ofinformation handling system 14 where it can act as a stand to holdinformation handling system 14 in a viewing position, as illustrated byFIG. 2. Although the extended gimbal motor 22 provides a convenientstand when portable information handling system 14 is separated fromcontroller 16, in alternative embodiments, gimbal motor 22 may beincorporated in controller 16 or placed as a separate unit betweenhousings 17 and 19 when the wheel input mode is desired.

Referring now to FIG. 4, an example embodiment depicts portableinformation handling system 14 resting with a stand in front of aperipheral display to provide a streaming communication monitor.Streaming communication control content includes video of other gamingplayers 24 and control content such as a communication interface 28 forestablishing text and voice communication. A three dimensional camera 30disposed at the face of portable information handling system 14 capturesinputs made by an end user, such as with eye gaze and gestures, asdescribed in greater depth below. Peripheral display 12 presents gamecontent 26 so that the end user can have a full field of vision withoutinterference by game content 26. Dedicated resources of portableinformation handling system 14 processes images by camera 30 to presentthe end user without other background images. The de-coupled controller16 provides the end user with a light weight input device to engage ingame content 26 while having control information and communication toolsreadily available at portable information handling system 14 tointegrated touchscreen display 18.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a side perspective view depicts portable gaminginformation handling system assembly 10 having portable informationhandling system 14 coupled to controller 16 in a wheel inputconfiguration. In the wheel input configuration, integrated touchscreendisplay 18 is exposed to present gaming content to an end user whograsps controller 16 with thumbs on input devices 20. Additional inputdevices may be included on both sides of controller 16 so that the enduser can configure inputs available at both the faces of controller 16.As the end user rotates controller 16, such as in the manner of asteering wheel, gimbal motor 22 provides a counter rotation to portableinformation handling system 14 so that it maintains its relativeorientation. For example, an end user holding controller 16 in front ofhis face, as in FIG. 1, with portable information handling system 14 anddisplay 18 in a horizontal orientation will have display 18 remain inthe horizontal orientation as the end user rotates controller 16.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a side cutaway view depicts a gimbal motor 22extended from portable information handling system 14 to engagecontroller 16. In the example embodiment, gimbal motor 22 integratesinto portable information handling system 14 with a sliding housing 23that provides spacing between controller 16 and portable informationhandling system 14 to support rotation relative to each other. Gimbalmotor 22 is, for instance, a Direct Current motor that rotates so thatportable information handling system remains in a stationary relativeorientation, such as by compensating for rotation introduced atcontroller 16. In the example embodiment, a co-processor 32 or othertype of processor/controller and a gyroscope 33 interface with gimbalmotor 22 to command a rotation rate that counteracts controller 16rotation to leave portable information handling system 14 stationary. Inalternative embodiments, commands for rotation of gimbal motor 22 may beprovided from a processor/controller and gyroscope of portableinformation handling system 14 that detects rotation and commandscounter rotation to keep portable information handling system at adesired orientation, such as a horizontal viewing orientation. Inanother example embodiment, processing and gyroscopic resources of bothcontroller 16 and portable information handling system 14 may becombined to maintain a desired viewing orientation. For instance,controller 16 may provide rotation commands that seek to eliminaterelative rotation of portable information handling system 14 whileportable information handling system 14 provides rotation commands thatadjust orientation relative to a fixed reference, such as gravity. Inanother embodiment, a camera in portable information handling system 14may provide references to a fixed object to help maintain a relativeorientation, such as the end user's face or a fixed environmentalfeature, such as a room light or wall.

Referring now to FIG. 7, a cutaway view depicts a portable informationhandling system 14 mounted on a controller 16 providing gimbal motorcounter rotation. The cutaway view depicts an example of processingcomponents that execute gaming applications and manage gimbal motorcompensation for maintaining a desired portable information handlingsystem orientation. In the example embodiment, a motherboard 34interfaces processing components, such as through a printed circuitboard. A central processing unit (CPU) 36 executes instructions toprocess information in cooperation with random access memory (RAM) 38,which stores the instructions and information. A solid state drive (SSD)40 provides non-transient memory to store an operating system and gamingapplication. An embedded controller 42 manages physical systems, such aspower, thermals and interactions with input devices and wirelesscommunication. A gyroscope 46 measures rotation and rotationalorientation of the system and accelerometers 44 detect accelerationsapplied at the system. A motor controller 48 interfaces with gyroscope46 and accelerometers 44 to apply sensed rotations and accelerations ascommands to the gimbal motor for maintaining relative orientationportable information handling system 14. As described above, motorcontroller 48 may reside in portable information handling system 14,controller 16 and/or both. As rotation is detected as indicated by thearrows, counter rotation by the gimbal motor keeps portable informationhandling system 14 still relative to an end user.

In addition to supporting the wheel configuration, portable gaminginformation handling system assembly 10 motion and orientation sensingprovides support for gesture and posture gaming control modes thatextend the number of input options available to an end user. A postureinterface allows changes in portable gaming information handling systemassembly 10 position and angle to trigger switches between differentfunctions while gaming. The posture interface may operate with sensorsof information handling system 14, controller 16 or combined sensorinputs. By using the gyroscope and accelerometer inputs to understandthe device posture and spatial position, multiple spatially aware modesare linked to applications and application modes that the user canaccess by adjusting device position or posture. In one exampleembodiment, the user plays a gaming application by holding a display 18up vertically in a viewing position that is a default gaming userinterface mode. To view a map of the game, the user tilts portableinformation handling system 14 from the viewing orientation down to ahorizontal orientation, thus commanding a change to a map mode. Inresponse, the gaming application is paused and a map mode is initiated.To return to the gaming user interface, the end user returns portableinformation handling system 14 to the vertical viewing position. Inanother example embodiment, an end user jerks portable informationhandling system 10 to a side to slide open a drawer that revealsoptions, such as a selection of weapons, and jerks in an oppositedirection to close the slide. Within the drawer, input buttons adapt todrawer interactions, such as selection of a weapon, and then return toprevious settings when the drawer is closed.

As is illustrated above in FIG. 4, separation of portable gaminginformation handling system assembly 10 into portable informationhandling system 10 and controller 16 allows portable informationhandling system 10 to rest on a stand in front of a peripheral displayto provide streaming communication content. As an example, portableinformation handling system 14 generates gaming content and casts thecontent to peripheral display 12 while presenting at local display 18the streaming communication and other control content on the smallerdisplay viewing area. For example, an end user has a chat box presentedat integrated touchscreen display 18 below peripheral display 12 andinteracts with the chat features using eye gaze inputs captured bycamera 30. In a chat mode, the end user rests his gaze on a chat targetto activate a chat thread. Once activated, portable information handlingsystem 14 dedicates resources to listen for and look at voice inputs andlip gestures to determine end user communication intent. Ascommunication intent is detected, communication options are presentedfor the end user to select or ignore while continuing to interact withgaming content.

Referring now to FIGS. 8A and 8B, a flow diagram depicts logic tosupport a hands free voice and text chat through a streamingcommunication interface at a portable information handling system 14during presentation of gaming content at a peripheral display. Theprocess starts at step 50 in a standby state with an end user gazedetected at the communication menu. Once an end user gaze is detected,the process continues to step 52 to activate the communication menu andgaze tracking at which the end selects team communication by gaze at ateam communication icon at step 54 or individual communication with agaze at the individual communication icon at step 74. At selection ofteam communication, the process continues to step 56 to initiate a teamcommunication chat interface. For instance, a transparent text balloonis opened and presented in the team chat interface and the logicmonitors for user intent to determine if text or voice chat is desired,such as by monitoring for voice with a microphone or gaze with a camera.Logic to perform the voice or text chat is stored as instructions innon-transient memory, such as a solid state drive, for execution by theprocessor.

If at step 56 a gaze at the text balloon is detected, the processcontinues to step 58 to present a text balloon and initiate team textchat logic. At step 60, a team text chat solid text balloon is presentedand waits for voice input to populate the balloon. At step 62 voiceinput is detected at a microphone and, at step 64 the voice input isconverted to text input by a voice-to-text conversion engine. Thetranslated voice is rendered in the text balloon with text sizedetermined based upon pauses in dictation of voice and completion ofsentences or statements. In one example embodiment text is communicatedas chat at each completed statement or sentence. Alternatively,additional text balloons are initiated with each completed sentence orstatement so that a complete message may be sent based upon an end usersend command issued by voice. At step 66, after a time out period if notadditional gaze or voice inputs are detected the active text balloonfades out. If at step 66 additional voice or text inputs are detected,the process returns to step 60 to continue processing the additionalcommunications. If not, the process returns to step 50.

If at step 56 a selection of team talking is determined, the processcontinues to step 68 to process talking for communication as voice. Theprocess continues to step 70 to initiate team voice chat by presenting ateam voice chat icon indicating that team voice chat is active. The textballoon is removed and a voice channel is opened to transmit voice toall team members. At step 72 a time out is tracked to detect a lack of agaze or voice input for a predetermined time. If additional gaze orvoice inputs are detected, the process returns to step 70 to continuevoice chat. If not, the process returns to step 50 to standby foradditional chat commands as described above.

If at step 52 gaze indicates a selection for individual communication,the process continues to step 74 to initiate individual chat. At step 76logic initiates for a private or whisper chat and a transparent textballoon is presented while gaze and voice are monitored forcommunication inputs. If a gaze input is detected indicating a selectionof voice chat, the process continues to step 78 to initiate voicecommunication. At step 80 an avatar icon is presented to identify thechat recipient and the text balloon is faded out. An indication isprovided for the individual voice chat activation, such as a glowingavatar and radio wave effect at a microphone symbol as voice inputs aredetected. At step 82 a time out is applied to determine when voicecommunication is complete. If additional voice or gaze inputs aredetected, the process returns to step 80 to continue with the voicechat. If additional gaze or voice inputs are not detected, the processreturns to step 50 to standby for additional communication commands.

If at step 76 a gaze command is detected that indicates a selection ofindividual text chat, the process continues to step 84 to initiateindividual text communication. At step 86 the text balloon transitionsfrom a transparent to a solid presentation and the logic waits for voiceto translate to fill the balloon. At step 88 voice input is detectedfrom the end user and at step 90 voice to text translation logic isinitiated to translate the end user voice to text. As text is translatedthe text engine renders the text into the text balloon with text sizeadjusted based upon pauses in dictation and understanding to sentence orstatement completion so that the text is of an optimal size readable bythe end user. Each balloon is sent as a text message based upon sentenceor statement completion or a predetermined maximum size. Alternatively,the text messages are saved as a series of balloons that are sent basedupon an end user command. At step 92 a time out is initiated todetermine a completion of the individual text communications. Ifadditional communications are detected the process re-engages at step 94and returns to step 86. If the time out completes indicating completionof the text communication, the process returns to step 50 to standby foradditional communications.

Referring now to FIG. 9, an example embodiment depicts a hands freevoice and text team chat. The process starts at step 98 with eye gazemonitoring of communication stream interface 28 that detects selectionof the team chat option. In response a team chat transparent textballoon is presented to the end user. If voice is detected, the processcontinues to step 100 to ignore and remove the transparent balloon avoice chat is initiated by communicating the voice to the team. Ifinstead the end user gazes at the text balloon, the process continues tostep 102 to initiate team chat by transitioning the transparent balloonto a solid presentation. At step 104 in response to voice inputdetection a cursor is presented in the text balloon and text ispopulated as the voice is translated into text. As the voice istranslated and sentence or statement completion is detected, the textballoons are automatically split and communicated based upon pauses orend user voice send commands.

Referring now to FIG. 10, an example embodiment depicts a hands freevoice and text chat for private chat and whisper. The process starts atstep 106 with eye gaze monitoring of communication stream interface 28that detects selection of the private text/chat option, such as a gazeat an individual's icon, and a transparent text balloon is presented. Ifvoice is detected, the process continues to step 108 and the transparenttext balloon is ignored and removed while voice communication isinitiated to the selected individual. If at step 106 a gaze is detectedat the transparent text balloon, the process continues to step 110 toinitiate text communication by transitioning the text balloon to a solidpresentation. At step 110 the solid text balloon is presented with acursor to indicate that voice will be translated to populate the textballoon. At step 112 as voice is translated to text the text populatesthe balloon and the text messages are automatically split and sent asvoice sentences or statements are completed.

Referring now to FIG. 11, an example embodiment depicts a hands freevoice and text chat for editing chat conversations. The process startsat step 114 with an end user touch, swipe or tap at the communicationinterface. As an alternative, the edit process may be initiated insteadwith a voice command, such as “edit.” At step 116 the end user mayinitiate a delete of the message by swiping the message to erase thetext balloon. In one embodiment, a slight delay is introduced atpopulation of a text balloon to provide the end user with an opportunityto initiate the edit process. In an alternative embodiment, a voice“delete” command may be issued by the end user to delete the textmessage after the edit command is issued. If instead of deleting themessage the end user desires to edit the message, the process continuesto step 118 where a tap at the content indicates the portion of the textmessage the end user desires to edit. Once the text is selected forediting, the end user voice is translated to populate the new text atstep 120 and the edited message is sent.

Although the present invention has been described in detail, it shouldbe understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can bemade hereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventionas defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for interacting with an information handling system, the method comprising: coupling a controller to a rear surface of the information handling system at a gimbal motor; sensing rotation; applying the rotation as an input to the information handling system presented at a display integrated in the front surface of the information handling system; and applying the rotation as an input to the gimbal motor to maintain the information handling system in a predetermined orientation.
 2. The method of claim 1 further comprising: applying the rotation as a steering wheel input to the information handling system; and accepting touch inputs at a controller input surface aligned to face the information handling system rear surface.
 3. The method of claim 2 further comprising: de-coupling the controller from the rear surface; re-coupling the controller to align the controller to face away from the information handling system rear surface; accepting touch inputs at the controller input surface; and applying the touch inputs at the display.
 4. The method of claim 1 further comprising: sensing the rotation with a gyroscope disposed in the controller; and applying the rotation as an input to the gimbal motor with commands from the controller to the gimbal motor; and applying the rotation as an input to the information handling system by communicating the rotation from the controller to the information handling system.
 5. The method of claim 11 further comprising: sensing the rotation as a first rotation with a gyroscope disposed in the information handling system; and applying the first rotation as an input to the gimbal motor to maintain the predetermined orientation of the information handling system; sensing the rotation as a second rotation with a gyroscope disposed in the controller; and applying the second rotation as an input to the information handling system by communicating the rotation from the controller to the information handling system.
 6. The method of claim 1 further comprising: de-coupling the controller from the information handling system; resting the information handling system on a support surface; and sensing rotation at the controller as the input to the information handling system without the applying rotation as an input to the gimbal motor.
 7. The method of claim 6 further comprising: presenting gaming content associated with the information handling system at a peripheral display; applying the rotation at the controller as input to the gaming content presented at the peripheral display; and presenting communication stream content at the information handling system display.
 8. The method of claim 7 further comprising: monitoring for eye gaze with a camera integrated in the information handling system; and applying the eye gaze as an input to the communication stream content.
 9. A gaming controller comprising: a controller housing having a curved shape with a front and rear face, the front face having gaming input devices; and a coupler disposed at the controller housing and operable to couple to an information handling system housing at both the front and rear face, the curved shape spacing the front face from the information handling system housing to expose the input devices when coupled to the front face, the curved shape conforming the controller housing to the information handling system housing when coupled to the rear face with the input devices exposed at a rear side of an assembly of the controller housing and information handling system housing.
 10. The gaming controller of claim 9 further comprising: a gyroscope integrated in the controller housing and operable to detect orientation; a gimbal motor interfaced with the coupler; and a controller interfaced with the gyroscope and gimbal motor and operable to command the gimbal motor to rotate an information handling system coupled to the coupler in response to rotation at the controller housing to maintain the information handling system housing at a predetermined orientation as the controller housing rotates.
 11. The gaming controller of claim 10 wherein the gimbal motor integrates in the information handling system. 